Unit-measuring machine



July 10, 1928. 1,676,377

' C. N. BERGMANN UNIT MEASURING MACHINE Filed Dec. 14, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 10, 1928.

c. N. BERGMANN UNIT MEASURING MACHINE Filed Dec. 14, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR in Zak? C. N. BERGMANN UNIT MEASURING MACHINE July 10, 1928. 1376,37?

Filed Dec. 14, 1925 4 Sheet s-Sheet 5 July 10, 1928. 1.676377 C. N. BERGMANN UNIT MEASURING MACHINE Filed Dec. 14, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Patented mi 10, 1928.

CHRISTIAN N. BERGMANN, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO BERG- MANN PACKAGING MACHINE-COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH,

PORATION OF DELAWARE.

PENNSYLVANIA, A COR- nmcr-mmsuame MACHINE.

Application flled December 14, 1923. Serial meadow.

My invention refers to improvements in machines for measuring units of mobile ma-- terial, as ice cream, and in separating such measured units from a mass and depositing 6 them separately into containers. Also, to

an improved method of separatlng such unltary portion from the mass without lncreasing its density or reducing 1ts content.

' The machine for such purpose is of that 10 class disclosed in my pending application Serial No. 613,235, filed January 17, 1923,

' and thepresent invention involves improvements' with respect to the construction of the rotatable cylinder containing the unit cavities; the casing therefor; means for automatically controlling the operation of the cylinder with respect to the rece tacle container, and various other features 0 construction and operation, as shall be more fully hereinafter described.

Generally stated, the machine is adapted to deposit unitary amountsof ice cream or other suitable material into cups, receptacles,

or containers, for the purpose of vending simple, economical, efiicient and expeditious manner.

The invention has in view to use a continuous series of carrying trays, arranged to hold the containers and to successively present them in proper position to be filled and sealed, a supporting trackway therefor, and means for advancing the tray and containers successively through the machine for filling and closing. Also, means for delivering a measured amount of material into each receptacle, controlled and operated by the tray so as to ensure proper positioning of the containers throughout the operation.

The machine is so constructed and arranged that one tray after another, filled with empty receptacles, will pass through the machine, and the receptacles will be filled and closed, the tray then passing outwardly at the other end, whereit may be removed with its filled contents, ready for use.

or storing the same in package form, in a- In the drawings. illustrating one preferred the line III-III of Fig. 2, showing the automatic controlling mechanism for the rotatable unit cylinder, dependent on the" receptacle tray; I

Fig. .5 is a perspective detail view of the pawl arresting arm;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view on the line VI-VI of Fig. 2; I

Figure 7 is a cross section on the line VIIVII of Fig. 2; Fig. 8 is a cross section VIIIVIII of Fig. 2; a

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional detail view of the pawl actuating mechanism,'similar to .611 the la.

Fig. 2, on the line IX-IX of Fig. 4, showing the pawl retractedas whenthere are no receptacles in receiving osition;

Fig. 10, is a face view '0 the segmenta gear retracted; and

Fig. 11 is a detail view showing a modified construction for driving the "actuating segmental gear; and

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view, enlarged, showing discharge of a formed unit 7 The particular objects in view in the present invention are to provide automatic mechanism for accurately and positively rotating the intermittently operable cylinder which measures, separates, and delivers the units into the receiving cups orreceptacles, in conformity with the intermittent advancing movement of said receptacles, and to 1 invention, the machine as a whole is generally rectangular in form, having an extended horizontal frame 2 at each end of and beyond a main supporting pedestal 3. Extending throughout the length of the frame, from one end to the other, and along each inner side,-are suitable trackways 4, of flanged or angle form as shown, for sliding support of the cup or container carrying frame or tray 5, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Said tray is adaptedto be advanced intermittentl along such ftrackway by the reci rocable ar 6, and enga ement thereby of t e pawl on the under side of the cup frame, as shown and described in the prior application above referredto.

The cup carrier, as therein shown, 1s provided with suitable receiving cavities extending crosswise in. rows, spaced apart longitudinally of the .holder a distance equalling each forward intermittent movement, whereby to bring each successive transverse row ofreceptacles underneath the unit measuring mechanism. The latter, which is of the same general construction and operation as that shown and described in my said prior application, and'also 1n application Serial No- 579,125, comprises a rotary barrel or cylinder 9, mounted within a cylindrical casing below the delivery valve or plunger bottom 15.

portion 11 of main hopper 12. Delivery cavities 11 are divided by transverse tapered partitions 13, whereby to more easily direct the contents of the hopper into each transverse unit forming cavity 14 of barrel 9.

Within said barrel and in each cavity 14 thereof is the slidably mounted reciprocable As shown, there are a series of such cavities and plungers, transversely of the machine and lengthwise of the barrel, each operating independ ently of the other, but together in discharging corresponding series of formed units into the several receptacles a of carrying tray 5. Each plunger or bottom 15 is capable of alternating gravitating movement across the middle width of its cavity at each half revolution. of the barrel, and is limited against further gravitating movement by the inwardly projectin narrow annular lip 16 of casing 10, and a o of extracting and retaining suflicient ice cream composing the next succeeding measured unit thereabove, ready to be sheared oil from the main sup ply mass, upon the next half rotation of the barrel 9.

As shown, the bottoms 15 are of comparatively large size, occupying about onehalf of the transverse length of each cavity, more or less, according to conditions. The main condition contro ling the relative size of the plungers and cavities is that the plungers shall have sufficient weight to positively effect the suction and discharge operation on the ice cream units, by gravitation. As will be obvious, the quantity of material to be filled into the containers is controlled by the size of the plungers, and the consistency ofthematerial being charged into the containers controls the Weight of the plungers. The plungers are slidably mounted therein and maintained in alinement by a tongue and groove guiding key or spline 58, as shown. Such guiding mechanism is necessary in order to maintain the several plungers in proper alinement, their ends being curved conformably to the contour or circumference of the rotatable barrel 9 in which they are mounted.

For the purpose of avoiding accumulation of ice cream around the lower edge of the outlet cavity of each sectional unit forming space, the casing is provided with an annular tapered'lip 17 extending downwardly around the s ace immediately below shoulder '16, terminating in a thin knife edge, from which any adhering particles of ice cream will readily drop off, and avoid accumulation, as the several units are discharged. As shown, the casing'lO is annularly recessed adjacent to andimmediately above the lip 17 so that any spreading of melted cream is prevented by such surrounding channel. The several plungers 15, by

reason of their extended length, and being of solid metal, are of substantial size and considerable weight. By reason of the nature of the substance used in the machine, containing a proportion of butter fat, the walls of-the cavities and these bottoms are continuously lubricated, and therefore slide with great ease and an absence of retarding friction.

In operation, as the cylinder 9 is intermittently rotated one-half revolution each time, the several plungers 15 are carried around towards the top and under the delivery openin of each cavity 11. Due to their practica ly air tight mounting within the casing, they will not commence to slide or fall downwardly until the cavity 14 communicates with the hopper supply above and the outlet opening below. When the verceptacles a which, when filled, are then moved forwardly in the tray 5 one space by bar 6.

Due to the suction effect of plungers 15 and the substantial vacuum condition existing in each of the several cavities 14., there is a degree of tension exerted, tending to somewhat expand the ice cream, or at least filling the cavities without any tendency to compress or solidify the substance. Likewise, in ejecting the unit, it falls into the cup by gravity, at the same time maintaining suction on the plunger and assisting its action. Such suction operation is a feature of considerable advantage in assisting in maintaining, in the filled receptacles, the

full one hundred percent .of the original batch of main reservoir 12, without diminution of bulk.

Cylinder '9 is mounted in its casing in such a manner as to be easily inserted and withdrawn therethrough, and at the same the stud-:20 of driving shaft 21.

time concentrically mounted and rotated, without friction. For such purpose, it is provided with centrally arranged terminal hubs 18, 19, respectively, hub 18 having a centrally bored cavity for engagement with Said shaft also has a pair of'oppositely located keys 22 adapted to register with corresponding sockets 23 of hub 18, so that, when barrel 9 is inserted from the opposite end, it must necessarily register properly, dependent upon the proper positioning of shaft 21, so

as to ensure vertical positioning and registering locatign of the several cavities 14.

At its other end, hub 19 of barrel 9 is provided with an extended stud 24, secured in the hub and extending into the central hub bearing 25 of supporting ring 26. Said ring is secured upon the outer end 27 of casing 10, by a flanged extension of the ring, which in turn is engaged by the ring nut 28 screwed upon the threaded terminal 27,

.as shown. By unscrewing ring nut 28 and removing the supporting ring 26, the barrel may be drawn outwardly for cleaning or repair, care being taken to avoid dropping the several plungers as the barrel is withdrawn.

At its other end, shaft'21 is rotatably mounted in a similar supporting ring 29, secured on the end of casing 10, as shown at 30, and rings 26 and 29 are each provided with air circulation openings, 31. providing for free circulation of warm air currents though the entire length of the barrel when desired. For such purpose the barrel is cored out, as at 0., Fig. 6. The purpose and advantage of such currents is to maintain the temperature of the working parts at a degree sufficiently high to be always warmer than the ice cream itself. By so keeping the temperature of the machine higher, I prevent any tendency of the ice cream to stick or freeze to the working parts, thereby avoiding any binding or tendency to clog the machine. The opposite ends of casing 10, as shown, are mounted in the upper portions of brackets 32, of each side frame of the machine, as will be readily understood.

The several operative portions of the machine are maintained in driving connection with a motor M through a suitable drive shaft and gearing, transmitting motion to a series of transverse shafts which extend across the machine and are mounted in the on the end 0 one of such shafts 34 and act uatcd by a pitmali 35 from crank disk 36 on the end of another such shaft 37 Iitman 35 transmits the proper throw to segment 33 continuously in a forward and back di rection as crank disk 36 revolves,the proper timing and relationship to the other'working parts of the machine, by suitable gear? ing, not necessarily herein described.

The teeth of segment 33 are in inter-meshing engagement with the teeth of gear 38 which is so proportioned as to receive a one-half revolution in alternating reverse directions, for'each reciprocation of segment gear 33. It is designed that such alternating rotation of gear 38 shall impart a series of successive half rotations to barrel 9, all in the, same direction, with an intervening rest period on reverse movement of segment 33. Such rest period is incident to filling, formation and discharge of the unitary measured sections to be delivered to the receptacles a.

.To effect such purpose, shaft 21 is provided with a ratchet wheel 39 having a. ratchet shoulder 40 at each opposite side, adapted to be engaged by spring pressed pawl 41 of shroudedwhecl 42. 1

Gear wheel,38 and wheel 42 are fixedl connected by key or screw 43 so as to operate together, or they may be made integral as one piece, if desired. An advantage in making them separate and so connecting them is that it facilitates the cutting of the teeth of gear 38 as a separate unit. However, both are freely rotatable together upon the neck 44 of stud shaft 21, while ratchet wheel 39 is keyed to the middle portion of said shaft, as at 45. As thus constructed, alternating rotation of wheel 42 will effect pushing engagement of pawl 41 with shoulder 40 and a resulting half rotation of barrel 9, for each reciprocation of wheel 42, which then rotates freely and idly in thereverse direction for similar engagement with the opposite shoulder 40. In such movement, the pawl 41 engages shoulder 40 at the bottom, moving it around to the top through one com plete half rotation corresponding to the active period and reversing to the original bottom position on reverse movel'nent Of segits receptacles comes into such receiving position, I have provided a controlling device for the pawl 41, subject to actuation by the tray upon entering the machine and upon passlng beyond such device. This consists of an arm 46 mounted on rock shaft 47 having at its other end a lever arm 48 provided with a terminal roller 4-9 located in wrist pin 55 rotates it will impart the desired.

the path of the tray 5. Arm 16 is provided with an elongated clearance opening 50 surrounding shaft 21 and has at one side a curved cam or fender extension 51.

The outer face 52 of fender'51 is curved substantially concentrically with the shaft roller 49, as in Fig. 4. Under such condi-- tions, thegravitating action of lever arm 48 and its roller and the weight of arm 46,

throwsaid arm downwardly, bringing face 52 of fender 51 into the path of the pawl 41,

so that it is thus maintained out of operative range of ratchet shoulder 40. Pawl 41 is sufliciently wide to extend beyond the ratchet wheel and into the path of fender 51, as shown.

Upon a tray entering the machine, it will ride under roller 49, as in Fig. 3, thrusting it upwardly and raising fender 51 out of the path of pawl 41, so that the pawl will act to half rotate wheel 39 and cylinder 9. By this means, the mechanism is inoperative to effect rotation of the unit measuring mechanism until the tray has entered the machine, bringing the first row of receptacles or containers a underneath the several unit measuring positions. During the presence of the tray, or a continuous series of trays, in passing-through the machine, the rollerand arm will be maintained raised and the feeding operation will continue until the last tray has passed beyond the roller, whereupon the rollerand arm will drop, rendering the device ineffective.

By such construction, the motor of the machine may be continuously operated, providing for longer or shorter intermission periods, if desired, the machine immediately resuming its functions upon the introduction of another tray with its receptacles or containers.

A feature of improvement in the present machine is in providing the annularsharp edge lip 17, avoiding accumulation orcreepage of ice cream at the lower end of each unit measuring cavity. as above described. The removability of the cylinder, its open construction providing for free circulation of heated air so as to maintain the apparatus at any desired temperature, together with the removability of the cylinder for cleaning or inspection, are features of considerable advantage and value.

In Fig. 11, I show av modified construction for actuation of the segmental gear 33. Instead of pitman 35 and driving connection with crank disk 36, as in Fig. 1, an adjacent cross shaft 53 is provided with a terminal crank disk 54, having a crank roller pin 55.

The latter engages an elongated slot 56 of crank arm 57 of segment gear 33, so that, as

reciprocating movement to segment gear 33 and with the desired corresponding semi-rotation to gear 38, wheel 42 and barrel 9 in the same manner as already described.

The machine, in respect-of the features above described, is particularly adapted to the work of rapidly and continuously filling containers with measured amounts of ice cream. It is comparatively simple in construction, easily kept clean and in repair, and can be operated without skilled labor. It may be changed or varied in detail construction by the skilled mechanic, or modified as to size, dimensions, or otherwise to adapt it to other substances or conditions, but all such changes are to be considered as within the scope of the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The method of extracting and ejecting a measured unit from a superimposed mass of plastic material consisting in withdrawing a portion of the mass by suction into a confined space, then shifting the withdrawn portion laterally for severance from the mass, and then relocating the unit for release of suction and discharge by gravity.

2. The method of extracting and ejecting a measured unit from a superimposed mass of plastic material consisting in withdrawing a portion of the mass by suction into ,a confined space with accompanying expansion thereof due to suction, then shifting the withdrawn portion laterally for severance from the mass in such expanded condition,

and then relocating the unit for release of suction and discharge by gravity.

3. The method of extracting, separating and delivering a measured unit from a superimposed mass of plastic material consisting in withdrawing a uniform column portion of the. mass by suction and accompanying expansion, then shearing it from the mass while relocating the unit, and discharging the unit by gravitation simultaneously and in cooperation with the withdrawal of another similar portion while subject to the action of a temperature raising medium.

4."- The method of extracting, separating and delivering a measured unit from a superimposed mass of plastic material consisting in withdrawing a uniform column portion of the mass by suction with accompanying expansion, then shearing it from the mass while re-locating the unit, and discharging the unit by gravitation simultaneously and in cooperation with the withdrawal of another similar portion while maintaining on the withdrawn and severed portions action of a surrounding confined temperature raising medium.

5. The method of extracting, separating and delivering a measured unit from a superimposed mass of plastic material consisting in withdrawing a uniform column portion of the mass by suction of a gravitating element with accompanying expanwithdrawal of another similar portion.

6. Means for extracting a measured unlt,

from a superimposed massof plastic material consisting of an upper reservoir, a lower cylindrical casing communicating therewlth,

a semi-rotatable drum having a middle transverse plunger cavity 1n full open undiminished registering communication with the reservoir and with an opposite substantially similar discharge opening in the easing, a longitudinally movable spline-controlled plungerin the plunger cavity adapted to freely withdraw a unitary port-ion from the reservoir by gravitating suction andto simultaneously follow a previously.

formed unit during its ejection, and separable means for imparting a part rotation to the cylinder. f 7. In combination, a stub shaft having'a ratchet wheel, a rotatable pawl carrier having a pawl therefor, means for intermittently rotating the pawl carrier in opposite directions, and afender device for engagement with the pawl to renderit inoperative. 8. In combination, a stub shaft having a ratchet wheel, a rotatable pawl carrier having a pawl therefor, means for intermittently rotating the pawl carrier in opposite directions, and a key terminal for driving engagement with a unit forming cylinder, a ratchet wheel secured to the shaft, a rotatable pawl carrier on the shaft having a pawl therefor, means for intermittently rotating the pawl carrier in opposite directions, and a fender device for engagementwith the pawl to render it inoperative.

9. In combination, a stub shaft having aratchet wheel, a rotatable pawl carrier having a. pawl therefor, means for intermittently rotating the pawl carrier in opposite directions, a swinging arm having a fender for engagement with the pawl to hold it away from the ratchet wheel, and a lever arm therefor having a terminalfor engagement by a moving body for elevation of the lever and movement of the fender away from the pawl. v

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a rotatable unit forming cylinder and its casing and .a supporting trackway for a container tray, of va stub shaft having a ratchet wheel and a key terminal for connection with the cylinder, a pawl carrier freely mounted on the shaft having a pawl and a gear wheel, a reciprocable driving segment therefor, a bearing for the shaft, a swinging arm having a fender for engagement with the pawl, and.

a rock shaft therefor having an arm provided with a terminal roller for engagement by the tray. I 11. In combination With'an open ended cylindrical casing -having oppositely arranged receiving and discharge openings, a rotatable unit forming cylinder having tranverse annular walls providing unit forming cavities with surrounding air circulation spaces.

12. In combination with an open ended cylindrical casing having oppositely ar ranged receiving and discharge openings, a

rotatable unit forming cylinder having series of transverse annular Walls providing series of unit forming cavities with completely surrounding air circulation spaces 13. In combination with an open ended cylindrical casing having oppositely arranged receiving and discharge openings, a rotatable unit forming cylinder having series of transverse annular walls providing series of unit forming cavities with completely surrounding air circulation spaces providing for continuous openings-from end to end of the cylinder and between each adjacent unit cavity.

14. In combinationwith a cylindrical casing communicating with a reservoir and having at one end a centrally arranged rotating stem, a cylindrical unit forming mem-.

her within the casing in rotative connection with said stem.

15. In combination with a cylindrical casing communicating with a reservoir and having atone end a centrally arranged rotating stem, a cylindrical unit forming member within the casing in rotative connection with said stem, and having a removable phere, a cylindrical unit forming memberrotatably mounted in the casing, centering spindles for the unit member at each end, a supporting hub member therefor at each end providing for air circulation inwardly and outwardly of the unit member, one of said hub members being removable to provide for removal of the unit member.

18. In combination with an intermittently operable rotatable spindle having a turning key terminal and means supporting the same centrally of a cylindrical casing, aunit forming cylinder removably inserted within the casing and having a central terminal hub adapted to engage the key terminal in a predetermined position.

19. In combination with an intermittently operable rotatable spindle having a turning key terminal and means supporting the same centrally of a cylindrical casing, a unit forming cylinder removably inserted within the casing and having a central terminal hub adapted to engage the key terminal in a predetermined position, a central hub and stud at its other end, a supporting and retaining hub member therefor, and a removable securing ring therefor secured to the other end of the cylindrical casing.

20. In a machine of the class described having a cylindricalcasing. provided with an upper inlet opening and a lower outlet opening, an annular tapering edge member surrounding the lower opening, beyond an immediately adjacent surrounding channel for the purpose set forth.

21. In a machine of the class described having a cylindrical casing provided with an upper inlet opening and a loweroutlet opening, an annular tapering edge member surrounding and depending below the lower opening, beyond an immediately adjacent surrounding channel, and inner annular shearing edges surrounding both openings; a rotatable barrel within the casing having a continuous transverse unit chamber extending therethrough and terminated by annular shearing edges adapted to conform to and register with said openings.

22. In a machine ofthe class described having a cylindrical casing provided with an upper inlet opening and a lower outlet opening, an annular tapering edge member surrounding and depending below the lower opening, beyond an immediately adjacent surrounding channel, and inner annular shearing edges surrounding both openings; a rotatable barrel within the casing having a continuous transverse unit chamber extending therethrough and terminated by annular shearing edges adapted to conform to and register with said openings. and means for rotating said barrel one half revolution with a corresponding rest period.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature. 

